4.26 – MA 26: Wurtsmith Management Area Plan
Summary of Use and Management
Vegetation management in the Wurtsmith management area (MA) (Figure 4.26.1) will provide timber products; maintain or
enhance wildlife habitat; protect areas of unique threatened, endangered and special concern species; and provide for
forest-based recreational uses. Timber management for this 10-year planning period will focus on harvesting older jack
pine and balancing age-class distributions of oak and aspen. Wildlife habitat management objectives include perpetuating
early-successional communities for species adapted to young forests for hunting and other wildlife-related recreation
opportunity. Expected trends within the next decade are increased off-road vehicle pressure, both legal and illegal and an
increased need to aggressively regenerate an aging oak resource.
The current predominant cover types, acreages and projected harvest acres in the management area are shown in Table
4.26.1.
Introduction
This management area is located in Alcona and Iosco counties and contains 20,962 acres of state forest land (Figure
4.26.1). The primary attributes which identify the Wurtsmith MA include:
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The portion of the management area in Alcona County is dune and swale complex.
A significant portion of this management area is relatively inaccessible due to wet conditions.
The management area straddles the Standish and Onaway sub-regions of the northern Lower Peninsula ecoregion as
classified by Albert (1995).
The lower part of the AuSable River flows along the south side of the management area.
The Wurtsmith MA is a popular destination for game hunting, hiking, mushroom hunting and other activities for the
town of Oscoda and the nearby community near the airport.
Due to the proximity of this management area to these communities, the forest resources contribute significant social
and economic values to the area.
There is minimal oil/gas activity.
The Old State House Off-Road Vehicle trail is located in the management area. Van Etten Lake State Forest
Campground is near this management area. The Highbanks Access site and a snowmobile trail are also located in the
management area.
This management area borders federal land – the Huron-Manistee National Forest and the former Wurtsmith Air
Force Base and bombing range.
The management area contains approximately 2,500 acres within what the Department of Defense has defined as the
Wurtsmith Bombing and Gunnery Range Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) Boundary. The Land Use Orders of the
Director were amended in 2009 to close state land within the FUDS area to all entry, except to operate motorized
vehicles on existing open roads or with a written permit issued by the department.
Threatened, endangered or species of special concern located by Michigan Natural Features Inventory surveys
include: Hill’s thistle, eastern massasauga rattlesnake and secretive locust. The Kirtland’s warbler also uses some of
the jack pine in this area.
Final Draft NLP MA 26 – Wurtsmith
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Figure 4.26.1. A map of the Wurtsmith management area (dark green boundary) in Alcona and Iosco counties.
Final Draft NLP MA 26 – Wurtsmith
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Table 4.26.1. Current cover types, acreages, projected harvests and projected acreages at the end of the period for the
Wurtsmith management area, northern Lower Peninsula ecoregion (2012 Department of Natural Resources inventory
data).
Cover Type
Oak
Jack Pine
Aspen
Cedar
Lowland Deciduous
White Pine
Red Pine
Lowland Conifers
Upland Open/Semi-Open Lands
Lowland Open/Semi-Open Lands
Misc Other (Water, Local, Urban)
Others
Total
Cover %
34%
17%
12%
12%
6%
4%
3%
2%
1%
3%
1%
5%
10 Year Projected Harvest (Acres) Projected
Current Hard Factor Manageable
Acreage in 10
Final Harvest Partial Harvest
Acreage Limited Acres Acres
Years
7,154
1,883
5,271
533
843
7,154
3,613
316
3297
414
3,613
2,613
169
2444
283
2,613
2,433
2,433
2,433
1,242
869
373
41
1,242
837
59
778
104
837
566
201
365
49
49
566
337
270
67
0
337
285
285
285
701
701
701
169
169
169
1,020
349
671
105
85
1,020
20,970
6,549
14,421
1,425
1,081
20,970
Desired Future Harvest (Acres)
Final Harvest
Partial Harvest
586
550
349
843
41
71
41
7
104
95
53
1,698
196
1,238
4.26.1 Forest Cover Type Management Direction
The following sections contain information on vegetation management direction in the form of Desired Future
Conditions, 10-Year Management Objectives and Long-Term Management Objectives for each of the major cover
types or forest communities within the management area. This information applies to those portions of the forest where
active management (i.e., timber harvest, prescribed fire, planting, mowing) will be conducted. In other portions of the state
forest, natural succession will achieve ecological objectives. While most stands have a variety of trees species and other
vegetation, stands or communities are classified by the species which has the dominant canopy coverage.
Section 4.26.1.1 Forest Cover Type Management – Oak
Current Condition
Oak acres total 7,154 acres or 34% of the management area (Table 4.26.1) and occur on dry, poor nutrient sites (habitat
classes: PArVCo, PArVHa/PArVVb, PArVHa and PVCd). More than 1,000 acres have a basal area of less than 50 square
feet per acre (Figure 4.26.2), but may have an understory of oak, aspen and red maple.
Forest communities dominated primarily by oak type, generally a mixture of pin oak, black oak and jack pine, in this
management area are valued ecologically as sources of habitat and mast for numerous species of wildlife including bear,
white-tailed deer, squirrels, and various birds; and commercially for firewood and industrial lumber.
The older oak (age 90+years) is declining rapidly. There are 1,883 acres of oak that have met harvest criteria but have
site conditions that limit harvest (hard factor limit acres). There are 207 acres of stands that have a final harvest pending
and these acres are included in the regeneration prescription class. The graph includes the projected number of acres
converted to oak as a result of treatments that remove an overstory species resulting in the release of oak. These acres
are included in the regeneration prescription class.
The management emphasis will be on aggressively regenerating an aging oak resource in this 10-year planning period.
Final Draft NLP MA 26 – Wurtsmith
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Wurtsmith
Oak Covertype Analysis
2000
Acres
1500
1000
Age Class
Hard Factor Limit Acres
Regeneration Prescriptions (Rx's)
Available Managable Acres
Partial Harvest Acres
Final Harvest Acres
Age Class Regulation 80
Unevenaged
150+
140-149
130-139
120-129
110-119
100-109
90-99
80-89
70-79
60-69
50-59
40-49
30-39
20-29
10-19
0-9
0
Regen Rx's
500
Figure 4.26.2. Age-class distribution for oak in the Wurtsmith management area (2012 Department of Natural Resources
inventory data).
Desired Future Condition
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Oak in stands and as a component in stands throughout the management area will be maintained through
management to provide for timber products, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.
10-Year Management Objectives
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Conduct restarting harvests on a projected 533 acres with a concentration on acres in the oldest age groups;
Conduct partial harvests on a projected 843 acres with a concentration on acres with a higher basal area that
have not been previously harvested; and
Maintain or expand oak as a component in stands throughout the management area through retention and
management for natural regeneration in other cover types.
Long-Term Management Objectives
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Continue to seek opportunities to aggressively regenerate an aging oak resource;
It is acceptable that the oak community will become more mixed over time to include more jack pine; and
A desired future harvest level is projected at 586 acres for final harvest and 843 acres for partial harvest per 10year period.
Section 4.26.1.2 Forest Cover Type Management – Jack Pine
Current Condition
Jack pine acres total 3,613 acres or 17% of the management area (Table 4.26.1) in the dry and dry-mesic outwash areas
of the management area (habitat classes: PVCd, PArVHA) where it is often mixed with oak. The jack pine is generally
limbic with poor form. Approximately two thirds of the jack pine is age 30 or less (Figure 4.26.3) reflecting robust
management over the past three decades.
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Wurtsmith
Jack Pine Covertype Analysis
1000
Acres
800
600
400
Age Class
Unevenaged
150+
140-149
130-139
120-129
110-119
100-109
90-99
80-89
70-79
60-69
50-59
40-49
30-39
20-29
10-19
0-9
0
Regen Rx's
200
Hard Factor Limit Acres
Regeneration Prescriptions (Rx's)
Available Managable Acres
Partial Harvest Acres
Final Harvest Acres
Age Class Regulation 50
Figure 4.26.3. Age-class distribution for jack pine in the Wurtsmith management area (2012 Department of Natural
Resources inventory data).
Desired Future Condition
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Jack pine will be evenly distributed in age classes between 0-59 years on suitable sites to provide a steady supply
of forest products, wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities;
Management of the jack pine resource will minimize mortality due to jack pine budworm; and
Wildfire risks will be minimized through reduction of fuel loads associated with older age classes of jack pine.
10-Year Management Objectives
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Conduct stand replacement harvests on a projected 414 acres of stands currently age 50 and older; and
Overall jack pine acres may increase due to inter-planting on sites where oak was removed and oak regeneration
was sparse.
Long-Term Management Objectives
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Continue management of jack pine on appropriate sites with an emphasis on reducing over mature stands to
minimize losses from jack pine budworm and associated risks due to increased fuel loads; and
A desired future harvest level is projected at 550 acres for final harvest per 10-year period.
Section 4.26.1.3 Forest Cover Type Management – Aspen
Current Condition
Aspen acres total 2,613 acres or 12% of the management area (Table 4.26.1). Forest communities dominated primarily by
aspen in this management area are valued ecologically as sources of habitat for numerous species of wildlife including
ruffed grouse, hare, woodcock, bear, white-tailed deer and various song birds; commercially for pulp and saw logs; and
for a wide range of forest recreation.
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Wurtsmith
Aspen Covertype Analysis
800
Acres
600
400
Acres
Unevenaged
150+
140-149
130-139
120-129
110-119
100-109
90-99
80-89
70-79
60-69
50-59
40-49
30-39
20-29
10-19
0-9
0
Regen Rx's
200
Hard Factor Limit Acres
Regeneration Prescriptions (Rx's)
Available Managable Acres
Partial Harvest Acres
Final Harvest Acres
Age Class Regulation 60
Figure 4.26.4.Age-class distribution for aspen in the Wurtsmith management area (2012 Department of Natural
Resources inventory data).
Aspen occurs throughout the area on PArVHa, PArVHa/PArVVb and PArVVb sites. Accessible aspen has been
consistently harvested over the last 40 years. There are 180 acres of aspen located in areas that are hard factor limited
(Figure 4.26.4) making these areas unavailable for management (hard factor limit acres). There are 64 acres that have
already been assigned a final harvest and these acres are included in the regeneration prescription class.
Desired Future Condition
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Aspen-dominated forest communities will be maintained on operable sites through even-aged management with
acres balanced between 0-59 years of age to provide for regulated harvest, wildlife habitat, and recreation
opportunity.
10-Year Management Objectives
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Conduct regeneration harvests on a projected 283 acres in this 10-year planning period.
Long-Term Management Objectives
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Continue management to balance age-class distribution to produce a sustainable yield of forest products and
wildlife habitat; and
A desired future harvest level is projected at 349 acres for final harvest per 10-year period.
Section 4.26.1.4 Forest Cover Type Management – Lowland Deciduous
Current Condition
Lowland deciduous acres total 1,242 acres or 6% of the management area (Table 4.26.1) in predominantly older age
classes above 70 years. Lowland deciduous forests are characterized by areas that show evidence of flooding in the past
five years or support lowland indicators plants. The lowland type is typically a mixture of ash, red maple, birch, lowland
aspen/balsam poplar, oak and other minor species. There has also been very little regeneration in the last 20 years.
There are 869 acres which are hard factor limited, most frequently due to a lack of accessibility in wet areas. The ash
component has been heavily impacted by the emerald ash borer. The graph includes 54 acres that have a final harvest
pending and these acres are shown in the regeneration prescription class.
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Unevenaged
150+
140-149
130-139
120-129
110-119
Age Class
100-109
90-99
80-89
70-79
60-69
50-59
40-49
30-39
20-29
10-19
0-9
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
Regen Rx's
Acres
Wurtsmith
Lowland Deciduous Covertype Analysis
Hard Factor Limit Acres
Regeneration Prescriptions (Rx's)
Available Managable Acres
Partial Harvest Acres
Final Harvest Acres
Age Class Regulation 80
Figure 4.26.4.Age-class distribution for lowland deciduous in the Wurtsmith management area (2012 Department of
Natural Resources inventory data).
Desired Future Condition
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Lowland deciduous types will be sustainably managed with acres balanced between 0-89 years for a continuous
supply of forest products and as a source of mast and habitat for wildlife.
10-Year Management Objectives
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Seek opportunities to harvest where it can be done in a manner that will not adversely impact wetland soils;
Conduct regeneration harvests on a projected 41 acres to begin the process of regenerating older age classes;
Follow the Emerald Ash Borer Guidelines for managing ash in lowland deciduous stands; and
Consider opportunities to conduct non-commercial harvests to manage for habitat and a balanced age-class
distribution.
Long-Term Management Objectives
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Where feasible, continue to seek opportunities to conduct regeneration harvests;
It is acceptable that due to the emerald ash borer the amount of ash in lowland deciduous forests will decrease
significantly and will be replaced by other lowland species; and
A desired future harvest level is projected at 41 acres for final harvest per 10-year period.
Section 4.26.1.5 Forest Cover Type Management – Lowland Open/Semi-Open Lands
Current Condition
Lowland open/semi-open lands (lowland shrub, marsh, treed bog, bog) communities in this management area are valued
ecologically as sources of habitat for numerous species of wildlife. Lowland open/semi-open acres total 1,782 acres or 2%
of the management area (Table 4.26.1).
Desired Future Condition
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Lowland open/semi-open lands sites will be maintained at or above current levels to provide wildlife habitat.
10-Year Management Objectives
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Management in lowland open/semi-open lands will be minimal. What little maintenance that will be done will be to
maintain the hydrology and open characteristics.
Final Draft NLP MA 26 – Wurtsmith
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Long-Term Management Objectives
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Continue management to maintain upland open/semi-open lands at or above current levels.
Continue to protect stands from illegal ORV use.
Where feasible and necessary, use control methods on invasive non-native species.
Section 4.26.1.6 Forest Cover Type Management – Upland Open/Semi- Open Lands
Current Condition
Upland open/semi-open acres total 285 acres or 1% of the management area. This category is a combination of the
following non-forested land cover types: herbaceous openland, upland shrub and bare/sparsely vegetated. These nonforested areas are a result of natural processes of fire, frost or other disturbances which create openings in the forest
canopy along with the past management practices to maintain these areas. These communities are valued ecologically as
sources of open land habitat for numerous species of wildlife.
Desired Future Condition
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Maintain upland open/semi-open lands at or above the current level to provide habitat for species which use
openings.
10-Year Management Objectives
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Consider management to maintain upland open/semi-open lands.
Long-Term Management Objectives
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Continue management to maintain upland open/semi-open lands at or above current levels;
Continue to protect stands from illegal off-road vehicle use; and
Where feasible and necessary, use control methods on invasive non-native species.
Section 4.26.1.7 Forest Cover Type Management – Other Types
Current Condition
Individual cover types which may cover less than 5% of the management area include: white pine 837 acres or 4% of the
management area, red pine 566 acres (3%), lowland conifers 337 acres (2%). Other forested and non-forested
communities total 169 acres or 1% of the management area and are spread across the management area. All of the
timbered and non-timbered communities have important ecological values and are important habitat for numerous wildlife
species.
Desired Future Condition
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These cover types will be maintained on suitable sites and contribute to the compositional species diversity of the
landscape.
10-Year Management Objectives
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Seek opportunities to harvest, where appropriate, the scattered acreages of upland and lowland minor types
where access and operability will not adversely impact sensitive areas.
Conduct final (regeneration) harvests on a projected 49 acres of red pine, 82 acres of upland mixed forest and 23
acres of upland spruce/fir;
Consider methods to ensure adequate regeneration lowland types.
Additional opportunities to increase harvest prescriptions in lowland forest types will be assessed, both in and
outside (due to forest health issue) of normal years of entry.
Partial harvests are projected for 104 acres of white pine, 49 acres of red pine and 76 acres of northern
hardwoods.
Final Draft NLP MA 26 – Wurtsmith
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Long-Term Management Objectives
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Where operations are not limited by access or operability, continue management of lowland types.
Consider methods to ensure regeneration of lowland types.
4.26.2 Featured Wildlife Species
Each of the featured species outlined below includes recommended practices with regard to forest and/or wetland
management.
The following have been identified as featured species for this management area during this cycle of state forest planning:
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American woodcock;
Beaver;
Black bear;
Eastern massasauga rattlesnake;
Pileated woodpecker;
Red-headed woodpecker;
Ruffed grouse;
Snowshoe hare;
White-tailed deer;
The primary focus of wildlife habitat management in the Wurtsmith MA will be to address the habitat requirements
identified for the listed featured species. Based on the selected featured species, some of the most significant wildlife
management issues in the management area are the maintenance of young forest; the retention of large, over-mature
trees and snags; and the maintenance and expansion of hard mast and mesic conifer components.
A more detailed overview of featured species is included in Section 3.
American Woodcock
The goal for woodcock in the northern Lower Peninsula is to maintain or increase available habitat. American woodcock
use young aspen stands having stem densities ranging from 6,000-20,000 stems/ac for feeding, nesting and broodrearing. State forest management should address the maintenance of adequate early successional habitat to provide
feeding, nesting and brood-rearing habitat and opportunity for hunting.
Wildlife Habitat Specifications
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Maintain the aspen cover type and the aspen component in mixed stands within the management area.
o Implementation of 10-year management direction for aspen, lowland aspen and lowland deciduous will be
sufficient to meet this woodcock habitat specification.
Move to balance the age-class distribution of aspen and continue management to regenerate oak to maintain young
forests across the management area.
o Implementation of 10-year management direction for aspen, lowland aspen and lowland deciduous will be
sufficient to meet this woodcock habitat specification.
Identify commercial and non-commercial treatment opportunities in aspen and alder stands associated with non-high
priority trout stream riparian zones or forested wetlands
Beaver
The goal for beaver in the northern Lower Peninsula is to maintain available habitat. Consideration will be given to best
management practices, trout stream management and trends in beaver nuisance permits issued. State forest
management for the species should focus on providing favorable food within 100 ft. of streams that are not designated
high priority trout streams.
Final Draft NLP MA 26 – Wurtsmith
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Wildlife Habitat Specifications:
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Maintain or promote alder, aspen, birch, maple or willow cover types within 100 ft. of non-high priority trout streams
with gradients of less that 15% and other inland bodies of water.
o Implementation of the 10-year management direction for aspen, lowland aspen and lowland deciduous will be
sufficient to meet this habitat specification.
Black Bear
The goal for black bear in the northern Lower Peninsula is to maintain or improve habitat. Black bears have large home
ranges and require large contiguous tracts of diverse forests with a mixture of cover types. They tend to use forested
riparian corridors in their movements (which can be extensive). Hard mast is critical in the fall for bears to achieve
adequate weight gains before denning. State forest management for the species should focus on improving existing
habitat by minimizing forest fragmentation and maintaining oak to offset potential population declines due to changes in
land-use.
Wildlife Habitat Specifications
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Identify, maintain, develop or restore forested corridors that connect larger forested tracts, paying particular attention
to riparian zones.
o Implementation of riparian guidance (best management practices) will be sufficient to meet the black bear habitat
specifications related to preventing fragmentation and maintaining corridors.
Conduct silvicultural practices that maintain or increase oak-dominated stands and the oak component of mixed
stands.
o Implementation of the 10-year management direction for oak will be sufficient to meet black bear habitat
specifications.
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
The goal for eastern massasauga rattlesnake in the northern Lower Peninsula is to maintain available habitat. Eastern
massasauga rattlesnakes inhabit open wetland as well as adjacent upland open cover types that support gestation and
parturition. Populations in northern Michigan will often use lowland coniferous forests, such as cedar swamps, as well as
open wetlands. Upland sites may range from forest openings to old fields, agricultural lands and prairies. State forest
management for the species should focus on maintaining suitable habitat on dedicated managed lands in accordance with
the Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances (CCAA). As of August 2013, the CCAA is in the final stages of
approval and as a result is subject to change. Refer to approved CCAA for final managed land boundaries and habitat
management recommendations. Approximately 5,400 acres of state forest land in the Wurtsmith MA are designated as
eastern massasauga rattlesnake managed lands per the CCAA.
Wildlife Habitat Specifications

At occupied sites maintain ≤50% canopy from trees and shrubs in wetland and upland vegetation types, maintain
patches of suitable habitat at greater than 250 acres, restrict mowing and burning to November to March when
eastern massasauga rattlesnake are in hibernation and refrain from manipulating water levels between November and
March at sites where eastern massasauga rattlesnakes are known to occur.
o Implementation of eastern massasauga rattlesnake CCAA in appropriate management areas will be sufficient to
meet eastern massasauga rattlesnake wildlife habitat specifications in this management area.
Pileated Woodpecker
The goal for pileated woodpecker in the northern Lower Peninsula is to maintain available habitat. Pileated woodpeckers
prefer stands greater than 40 years old for foraging and greater than 70 years old for nesting and roosting and abundance
is positively related to the density of trees > 12 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH). State forest management
should focus on the maintenance of a component of large diameter trees (>12 inches DBH) at the landscape scale.
Final Draft NLP MA 26 – Wurtsmith
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Wildlife Habitat Specifications

Maintain a component of large diameter trees greater than 12 inches DBH.
o Implementation of Within-Stand Retention Guidance, factor-limited acres, uneven-aged management in the
northern hardwoods type, special conservation areas with objectives for big tree management and continued
mortality from insect and disease will be sufficient to meet the pileated woodpecker habitat specifications for large
trees in this management area.
Red-headed Woodpecker
The goal for red-headed woodpecker in the northern Lower Peninsula is to maintain or increase available habitat. Redheaded woodpecker are limited by the availability of snags for nesting, roosting and feeding and prefer areas with
groupings of snags caused by beaver girdling, flooding, fire, disease or insect outbreaks. Preferred sites are > 5 acres in
size with a savannah-like dispersion of large trees (< 50% canopy cover) with open under story and include tall trees or
snags of large (> 12 inches) DBH. State forest management for the species should focus on the maintenance of snags in
timber sales and salvage in priority landscapes.
Wildlife Habitat Specifications

Retain patches of dead wood left by beaver floodings, fire, disease and insect outbreaks by minimizing salvage cuts
within the management area with preference for snags >12 inches DBH.
o Implementation of beaver wildlife habitat specifications, Within-Stand Retention Guidance, factor-limited acres
and continued mortality from insect and disease will be sufficient to meet the red-headed woodpecker habitat
specifications for snags in this management area.
Ruffed Grouse
The goal for grouse in the northern Lower Peninsula is maintain available habitat. Ruffed grouse prefer young (6-15 year
old); even-aged deciduous stands that typically support 8,000-10,000 woody stems/acre. Although ruffed grouse use
many different forest types (aspen, birch, oak-hickory), aspen can support higher densities than those attained in other
forest types. The juxtaposition of different age classes allows for different life history requirements to be met within a small
area and promotes higher grouse densities. Ideal aspen stands will be of 40-160 acres under a 40-year rotation with
staggered harvests of 25% every ten years in 10-40 acre harvest units. Larger harvest units should have irregular
boundaries and include one or two, 1-3-acre un-harvested inclusions. State forest management should focus on
maintaining and balancing the age-class distribution for aspen and oak cover types in priority landscapes.
Wildlife Habitat Specifications



Maintain the aspen cover type and the aspen component in mixed stands within the management area.
o Implementation of 10-year management direction for aspen and oak will be sufficient to meet this grouse habitat
specification.
Move to balance the age-class distribution of aspen and continue management to regenerate oak to maintain young
forests across the management area.
o Implementation of 10-year management direction for aspen and oak will be sufficient to meet this grouse habitat
specification.
Maintain the upland shrub cover type specifically juneberry, hawthorn, cherry, and other mast producing shrub
components.
o Implementation of 10-year management direction for upland brush will be sufficient to meet this grouse habitat
specification.
Snowshoe Hare
The goal for snowshoe hare in the northern Lower Peninsula is to maintain or increase available habitat. Hare populations
use areas of dense, young (sapling/pole) forest and shrub communities and prefer alder and coniferous swamps. Dense
understory cover is the primary limiting factor as escape/thermal cover is more important than food availability. In mature
forests, hare are associated with beaver ponds and aspen harvests, feeding upon available cuttings and finding cover in
the resulting re-vegetation. State forest management should focus on maintaining young aspen adjacent to lowlands,
maintaining jack pine, retaining slash, increasing mesic conifer components and increasing beaver.
Final Draft NLP MA 26 – Wurtsmith
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Wildlife Habitat Specifications



Maintain young aspen and lowland shrub (alder or willow) communities that have a conifer understory or young aspen
stands that are adjacent to lowland/swamp conifer and mesic conifers. Conduct silvicultural practices that maintain or
increase mesic conifer components in aspen stands.
o Implementation of beaver wildlife habitat specifications and the 10-year management direction for aspen, lowland
aspen and lowland deciduous will be sufficient to meet this hare habitat specification.
When conducting site-prep herbicide treatments, encourage more diverse stands by using application-skips in
pockets or along stand edges.
In snowshoe hare habitat, limit biomass harvesting and whole-tree chipping operations, retain slash and create brush
piles.
White-tailed Deer
The goals for white-tailed deer habitat in the northern Lower Peninsula are to: 1) Maintain spring and summer forage and
improve recreational access through openings management; 2) Maintain the overall proportion of potential woody browse
such as aspen; 3) Maintain or increase the oak component in forest stands and promote oak regeneration; and 4)
Maintain and promote functional shelter in wintering complexes.
Wildlife Habitat Specifications

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
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
Annual manage at least 3,000 acres of forest openings across the ecoregion to provide spring and summer forage
and recreational opportunities.
o Implementation of 10-year management direction for upland openland and upland shrub will be sufficient to meet
this deer habitat specification.
Maintain the aspen cover type and the aspen component in mixed stands within the management area.
o Implementation of 10-year management direction for aspen, lowland aspen and lowland deciduous will be
sufficient to meet this deer habitat specification.
Move to balance the age-class distribution of aspen and continue management to regenerate oak to maintain young
forests across the management area.
o Implementation of 10-year management direction for aspen, lowland aspen, lowland deciduous, and oak will be
sufficient to meet this deer habitat specification.
Conduct silvicultural practices that conserve the oak component in forest stands and promote oak regeneration.
o Implementation of 10-year management direction for oak will be sufficient to meet this deer habitat specification.
Manage cedar and hemlock with the main objectives of regeneration and providing future functional cover.
o Implementation of 10-year management direction for cedar and lowland conifer will be sufficient to meet this deer
habitat specification.
Promote hemlock on appropriate sites using silviculture to increase within-stand hemlock components.
4.26.3 Rare Species and Special Resource Area Management
All forest operations must be reviewed for potential conflicts between rare species and proposed forest operations
following the guidance in DNR’s Approach to the Protection of Rare Species on State Forest Lands (IC4172). This is
especially important when listed species are present or past surveys have indicated a possibility of their presence.
Past surveys have noted and confirmed three listed species and one natural communities of note occurring in the
management area as listed in Table 4.26.3. Any established management guidelines will be followed. Further surveys for
special species and natural communities will be carried out as a matter of course during the inventory process and
opportunistically for special more focused surveys.
As shown in Figure 4.26.3, the only special conservation area is the 2500 acre Wurtsmith Bombing and Gunnery Range
Formerly Used Defense Site.
There are no high conservation value areas or ecological reference areas identified for the Wurtsmith MA as illustrated in
Figure 4.26.3.
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Management goals during this planning period:
1. Document occurrences of rare, threatened, endangered and special concern species and natural communities for
the management area through the inventory process or with occasional focused surveys.
2. Evaluate all potential Type 1, potential Type 2 and potential old growth areas to determine their status as a
special resource area.
3. Develop and maintain management and monitoring plans for ecological reference areas on state forest land.
Table 4.26.3. Occurrence information for special concern, rare, threatened and endangered communities and species for
the Wurtsmith management area.
Common Name
Scientific Name
Natural Communities
Floodplain forest
Status
Status in
Management
Area
Climate Change
Vulnerability
Index (CCVI)
Confidence
S3/G3?
Confirmed
Insect
Secretive locust
Appalachia arcane
SC/S2S3/G2G3
Confirmed
MV
Very High
Reptile
Eastern Massassauga rattlesnake
Sistrurus catenatus catenatus
C/SC/G3G4T3T4Q/S3S4 Confirmed
HV
High
Plant
Hill's thistle
Cirsium hillii
SC/G3/S3
Confirmed
Natural Community Association
Probable Cover Types
Successional
Stage
Lowland mixed
Mid
Bog
Pine barrens
Wet-mesic sand prairie
Intermittent wetland
Dry northern forest
Lowland open/semi-open
Jack Pine
Lowland open/semi-open
Lowland open/semi-open
Jack Pine, Red Pine
N/A
Early
N/A
N/A
Late
Coastal fen
Dry-mesic prairie
Lowland open/semi-open
Upland open/semi-open
N/A
N/A
Dry sand prairie
Poor conifer swamp
Bog
Emergent marsh
Upland open/semi-open
Tamarack
Lowland open/semi-open
Lowland open/semi-open
N/A
Late
N/A
N/A
Northern wet meadow
Intermittent wetland
Coastal plain marsh
Wet-mesic sand prairie
Lowland open/semi-open
Lowland open/semi-open
Lowland open/semi-open
Lowland open/semi-open
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Wet prairie
Prairie fen
Northern fen
Rich conifer swamp
Northern hardwood swamp
Floodplain forest
Lowland open/semi-open
Lowland open/semi-open
Lowland open/semi-open
Tamarack
Black Ash
Lowland mixed
N/A
N/A
N/A
Late
Late
Mid
Northern shrub thicket
Mesic northern forest
Dry northern forest
Upland open/semi-open
Northern Hardwood
Jack Pine, Red Pine
N/A
Late
Early
Oak-pine barrens
Oak
Mid
Pine barrens
Jack Pine
Early
Mesic prairie
Upland open/semi-open
N/A
Mesic sand prairie
Hardwood-conifer swamp
Upland open/semi-open
Lowland Mixed
N/A
Mid
Alvar
Oak-pine barrens
Pine barrens
Upland open/semi-open
Oak
Jack Pine
N/A
Mid
Early
Boreal forest
Dry northern forest
Dry sand prairie
Dry-mesic northern forest
Dry-mesic prairie
Limestone bedrock glade
Upland open/semi-open
Upland open/semi-open
Upland open/semi-open
Upland open/semi-open
Upland open/semi-open
Upland open/semi-open
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Mesic prairie
Mesic sand prairie
Open dunes
Upland open/semi-open
Upland open/semi-open
Upland open/semi-open
N/A
N/A
N/A
Climate Change Vulnerability Index: EV – Extremely Vulnerable; HV – Highly Vulnerable; MV – Moderately Vulnerable; PS – Presumed Stable; and IL –
Increase Likely.
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Figure 4.26.5. A map of the Wurtsmith management area showing the special resource areas.
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4.26.4 Forest Health Management
Although forest health issues span the entire landscape, some specific threats are more important in this management
area due to the species composition, site quality or other factors. Some of the more important forest health issues in this
management area include oak decline, oak wilt and emerald ash borer (EAB) and management should be adapted as
follows:
Oak decline is most prevalent on frost-prone, nutrient poor outwash plains. Old age and drought predispose areas to twolined chestnut borer and Armillaria root rot. Shorter rotations will reduce risk of decline.
Oak wilt is found in this area. Epicenters need to be identified and treated. Timber sale restrictions which prevent
wounding of oaks from April 15 to July 15 need to be enforced. Other management activities that can lead to damage of
residual red oak trees – oil and gas development, recreational trail improvement, etc. – should be not be conducted during
this high-risk period.
Follow EAB guidelines for salvage of ash that may be impacted by EAB. It is expected that small diameter black ash in
inaccessible lowland areas will not be salvageable and that the ash will be replaced by some other species.
Invasive Species
Invasive species pose a major threat to forest resources. They impact timber production, wildlife habitat and recreational
access. Currently, no invasive species have been detected within the management area or within a five mile buffer of the
management area. This information was compiled from the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network database but it
should not be considered complete. Local staff has noted the presence of garlic mustard and Phragmites in the
management area. Invasives that merit eradication efforts are those species that threaten sensitive sites due to their
location or growth characteristics and have population levels that may be successfully controlled.
4.26.5 Aquatic Resources
Fisheries Division management unit biologists will review proposed forest management activities using the compartment
review process, and will consider the potential impact of proposed prescriptions upon riparian and aquatic
values. Management prescriptions will be modified to account for riparian and aquatic values by applying the standards
and guidance documents listed in the introduction to this plan section to the unique conditions specific to any given forest
stand.
Prescription of riparian management zone widths greater than the minimum widths provided in IC4011 must be justified
and documented during the compartment review process.
Forested stands adjacent to designated high priority trout streams will specifically be managed to discourage beaver use
in accordance with both DNR Policy and Procedure 39.21-20 Beaver Management and IC 4011. Designated high priority
trout streams for this management area are shown in Figure 4.26.1 and listed in Appendix F.
4.26.6 Fire Management
Disturbance through fire has played an important role in the initial propagation and maintenance of oak and natural
oak/pine types and small inclusions of grass/upland brush types.
The Michigan DNR has a prescribed fire program and maintains a well-trained staff to conduct prescribed burns for
silviculture, habitat maintenance or habitat restoration. Each year, all burns prescribed on state forests, parks and wildlife
game lands are evaluated and ranked, with funding allocated to the highest priority burns. The ability to fund prescribed
burns is based on available funding, the total acres prescribed for burning and the prioritized ranking of individual burns.
The demand for prescribed burning money frequently exceeds the amount of funding and some recommended burns may
not be funded for that fiscal year. Once funded, the ability to implement a burn is dependent on suitable prescribed
burning weather, a suitable fuel (vegetation) condition, local staffing and other resources.
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The following fire management concepts should be applied in the management area:



Consider re-introduction of fire in the oak/pine areas to encourage pine and oak regeneration and to discourage
competition.
Consider opportunities to incorporate fire as a tool to restore or maintain managed openings.
Develop and implement formal fuel breaks in high hazard areas.
4.26.7 Public Access and Recreation
Access is restricted on approximately 2,500 acres except to operate motorized vehicles on existing open roads or with a
written permit issued by the department. Where access is limited on state forest land, the department will continue to
seek access across adjacent private property. In accordance with the department’s Sustainable Soil and Water Quality
Practices on Forest Land, upon completion of harvesting, temporary spur and seasonal roads will be closed and
stabilized.
Recreation facilities and infrastructure are limited in this management area, perhaps due to the isolation from other blocks
of state forestland or past military use. A portion of the Old State House Off-Road Vehicle route and snowmobile trail
(Figure 4.26.1), and the Vanetten State Forest Campground and Boating Access Site are in the management area.
Although managing recreational opportunities is the primary responsibility of Parks and Recreation Division, timber
management activities may impact the quality of recreational opportunities and management modifications will be
considered to minimize these impacts.
Management modifications that may minimize possible recreational trail and other infrastructure impacts are agreed upon
by recreation staff in Parks and Recreation Division and Forest Resources Division staff through the compartment review
process. Public input received through meetings, including the compartment review process and other forums, will also be
considered. Trail protection specifications can be applied through the vegetative management system (VMS) in the
design and administration of timber management activities. Guidance for within stand retention may also be used along
trails to minimize impacts which may include modifications to management such as maintaining conifers to shade winter
snow trails or retaining trees along single track off-road vehicle trails to maintain the integrity of narrow trails. Where
modifications to management may not be compatible with timber management objectives, opportunities to educate the
public on the Department’s timber management policies may be considered. Specifications and guidance for
management around trails may include, but is not limited to: Vegetative Management System (VMS) Sections 5.2.39,
5.2.40, 5.2.41 and 5.2.42 and the Department of Natural Resources Within Stand Retention Guidance.
4.26.8 Oil, Gas and Mineral Development
Surface sediments consist of fine-textured till, ice-contact outwash sand and gravel and lacustrine (lake) sand and gravel.
The glacial drift thickness varies between 200 and 600 feet. Sand and gravel pits are located in this management area,
and there is potential.
The Mississippian Marshall Sandstone and Coldwater Shale subcrop below the glacial drift. The Marshall was previously
used for building material elsewhere in the state.
Sparse oil and gas drilling has occurred on these lands, with two wells drilled for the Antrim Shale being plugged. Well
spacing for the Antrim is 80 acres. The Collingwood Formation does not appear to have potential in this management
area and none of the lands are currently leased.
Metallic mineral production is not supported by the geology given the depth to known metallic bearing formations.
Administration of oil and gas development on state forest land is provided by both the DNR and DEQ to ensure that
minerals shall be developed in an orderly manner to optimize revenue consistent with other public interest and natural
resource values.
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Lease classification of state lands is guided by DNR Oil and Gas Lease Classification Procedure No. 27.23-15. Contained
within each DNR Oil and Gas Lease Agreement are environmental terms which detail requirements for permits to drill
issued by the DEQ, supervisor of wells pursuant to Part 615, 1994 PA 451, as amended. No operations are to take place
in a wetland (as defined in Part 303 of 1994 PA 451, as amended) habitat critical to the survival of an endangered species
and designated under provisions of Part 365 of 1994 PA 451, as amended or a site designated by the Secretary of State
to be of historical or archeological significance unless a plan to eliminate negative impacts to archeological or historical
resources is agreed upon. In areas identified as having special wildlife, environmental, recreational significance, and/or
state surface require a development plan which will minimize negative impacts and will minimize surface waste while
remaining consistent with the spacing requirements established by the supervisor of wells. All pipelines from the well site
are required to follow existing well roads or utility corridors and that all pipelines are to be buried below plow depth.
Abandoned well sites should be incorporated back into state forest stands as either forest openings or re-forested areas,
as determined by the vegetation plan contained in the lease agreement or as subsequently decided in compartment
review.
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